Never stray from formulas?

[stephen]

Ok I agree with most everything here. The more experienced and established you are, you can get away with almost anything if you're a newbie stick to the norm (formula). I have a song I've posted it here before, that doesn't follow the bridge after 2nd chorus rule to a T. I have 1st verse, mini bridge, Chorus, 2nd verse, mini bridge, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus. Here it is http://iypdalbum.com/audio/STEPHEN_JOHN ... Love.m3uIs this straying from the formula?

[gongchime]

Ooh that intro is pretty. I play double seconds with a low E. I have some great samples of steel drums too. I saw Andy Narrell play in Arizona. Ordered steel drums the same day. I think what you're calling a mini bridge is actually a transition and that's not straying from the formula at all. In fact it's quite standard nowadays to place transitions and prechoruses betwen sections. Even mandatory in certain styles. Once people learn the basics, then lots of people can write good choruses and verses. But then the art of extending or truncating sections, writing good intros, transitions, prechoruses and "the rise" to the chorus comes into the picture and a lot of people get left behind in that case. There's a rule in drama that there shouldn't be any props on the stage that don't get used. The steel drums get dropped after the intro and you don't come back to them for a long time. It disrupts the unity of the piece. I like it when you come back to them.

[stephen]

Thanks for your comments gong.

[weslong]

Aug 9, 2008, 12:05pm, lyle wrote:Other things to keep in mind:-There are people who post on this forum who are making a good living with their TAXI forwards.-I'm not delusional.-My ballroom joke was stolen from Rodney Dangerfield.-TAXI screeners are not dumb. When they make a statement about bridges like you mentioned, it isn't from a standpoint of blind, dogmatic rules...it's in reference to a very particular style, most likely in regard to the listing. -The hate machine has wormed its way into your own posts. I'm just sayin'.-In my case, when someone gives me a critical smackdown, I find myself becoming more grateful than offended. Why? Because most critiquers are too nice to say what they really think...I end up learning a lot more from the harsh ones, even if I disagree. Those opinions are much more rare than supportive, friendly praise. I also hope you stick around, although the "delusional" idea makes me think you view the whole deal as mostly futile...hopefully a check in the mail someday will alter that viewpoint. On the other hand, I don't think any of us are trying to use TAXI in order to become stars. It's work, that's all.Cheers!-MarkOkay, I'll chime in here. To sort of add to the some of the ideas related to the forum already expressed: I DID NOT join TAXI to play 'patty cake' and always smack each other the back and say 'Nice Job' to every posted song. I don't want to be a part of some weird support group for dysfunctional co-dependent artists. I would much rather take a figurative ass-beating over a song I did than have people tell me I did great job, talk crap behind my back, and leave me wondering why my music isn't going anywhere. So, I try to be honest (politely, of course) when people want feedback. Sycophant, I am not.If someone tells me 'YOU SUCK' (whether that be a member or a screener) and then they can expertly and professionally outline why I suck, then I won't be offended. I'll be grateful they had the stones to come forward and tell me. Sometimes being a friend means saying "NO!". A bit of humor tossed in also helps- like the 747 joke. What a HOOT!

[stephen]

Wes I hope thats what we all do here tell folks the truth...

[suzdoyle]

Well said, Wes! It's easy to find folks who appreciate and praise your songs in a general way, but it is DELICIOUS to have friends and colleagues who help you hone your craft by offering detailed suggestions about how to improve a given song or performance. That's the kind of feedback i treasure! ,Suz

[squids]

I was gonna hop on this thread but hesitated. It's not like this stuff hasn't been discussed befo. Sho has. I guess I keep hopin' that in there somewhere is a new kernel of truth.Here's the rub: I don't write to formula. Not my thing, I guess. However, I still got plenty of forwards here without writing to formula. Plenty of deals outside taxi too. Given that, I suggest you view Taxi as but one of many irons you need in the fire. I used taxi initially to see where I fit in the world in my production and songwriting. Finding that, I branched out. Michael Laskow would probably drop his jaw if I said something like "I'm grateful for the many things I learned and the friends I made at Taxi" but there it is. Do I have issues sometimes with the services? You betcha. Things can always be improved. There's no perfect business. Here, the law is relatively easy. You can ignore one person's opinion but if enough of them say the same thing, it's time to listen or to be prepared that you might get rejected a lot mo than accepted. Which can sometimes be a badge of honor too, jes not the kind that comes with cash. So if your screener isn't makin' sense to you, call them up and ask to be rescreened. I have no idea if this actually works; never done it, heard it suggested a million times though. If you do contact them, let me know so I can keep stockpilin' answers (been keepin' track a lil bit). If you don't get a rescreen and you're uncertain your screener's critique is accurate, post the listing and the link to the song in peer to peer. See who posts and what they're saying. Chances are more than average that you'll see a common theme in their comments that might or might not match your screener's. No matter; it's a learning experience. Anyway, it's really nice to meet you. I wish I'd met you somewhere else. This thread, while amusing at times, is a powderkeg.Cripes, I didn't light it, did I?

[Casey H]

Casey's rules of songwriting (not that I haven't broken them!!)(1) Follow the songwriting 'rules' and standard formats such as VCVCBC, VCVCVC, etc., consistent rhyming patterns, lyrics that are easy for anyone to understand directly, length less about 4 minutes, and so on...(2) You can break the above rules, but if you do, it better be so damn freakin' good that no one cares. Casey

[squids]

Oct 29, 2008, 12:11pm, hurowitz wrote:(2) You can break the above rules, but if you do, it better be so damn freakin' good that no one cares. Casey Awww. Thanks!

[billg]

Looks like the person who started this thread has bailed out of the Taxi.